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A Centennial Address Delivered hy 

Hon. A¥illiam A. (trimshavv, 

at Pittsfield, Pike County, 

Illinois, Julv 4, 1876. 



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A Centeiuiial Address Delivered by 

Hoi\. William A. (trimshavv, 

at Pittstield, Pike County, 

Illinois, July 4, 1876. 



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PiTTsriELi", PiKi'. County, Illinois. June 8, 1S7(». 
7V> the People of Pike CoxHti/ : 

Ai ;i public ineetiny held at rUc ("otirl lions.', in iMitslickl, on rlic 27ili day oi May last, 
it was dftcrniincd that the approaching; Fourth ot Jul,\ should be celebrated in an appru- 
prialc manner, on Ihc Ptihllc Sciuarc in I'itlsiield, by a basket pic-idc, Willi addresses, 
music, and lireworks at night, and the un(iersi.un<'d were appointed a I'uminittee to ex- 
teiHl an invitalion to the entire count \ , lo take part in the celebration. 

In discliaru:inL; the dutv devolved ujiou us bv t he action (jf the meeting, we respectfully 
call vour attention to thie foUowinj^ resolution, which recentlN passed the Senate and 
House of Kepresentalives of the United States, at Washington : 

"Be It Resolved, Bv the Senate and House of Uepresuntatives of the Unitisd States ot 
America: That it be and is kereby recommended by the Senate and House ot Kepresen- 
tatlves to the people of the several States that they assemble in the several Counties and 
Towns on the approaching- anuivei-sarv of our Xalional Independence, aiid that they 
cause to have delivered on such dav an historical sketch ot said county or town frona its 
formation, and that a copy of said sketch mav be tiled in print or manuscript In theClerk's 
office of said CouidA , and an additional copy in print or manuscript be filed in the office or 
the Librarian of Uongress to the intent that a complete record may be thus obtained or 
the pi-ogress of our institutions during the first centennial of their existence. 

In pursuance of the action of Congress the- President of the United States and the Go\ - 
ernor of this State have issued proclamations, requesting the people of each County to 
meet at suitable places, and celebrate this first Centennial year of our national existence, 
in the manner in the resolution we have (luoted, suggested. 

Pike, as the mother of all the counties North and West of the Illinois River, has a his- 
tory replete with interest, and It will be but discharging a just obligation due to those 
who shall follow us upon the stage of action, if, while meeting to celebrate the Centen- 
nial on the coining Fourth, that history shall be presented in such form as to perpetuate 
it for the future. 

In discharging the duties assigned to us let us call your attention to the importance ot 
the day we propose to celebrate. One hundred years ago our forefathers, oppressed by a 
British Government then ruled by a tyrannous King, conceived the bold idea of forming 
an independent government for themselves. The principal theory of government up to 



riiat time had been that the jiowfrs of j^-dvernnu'tif Avcn; iiihen^iit lu the nilci-, who ruled 
i>y divine rlffht, and that tln' iHojile diilved their rights from the ^overiiraeut. The 
launders of our admlral)li' system reveisftl the whole order of ffovernnient, and declared 
that the people were eapable of si'ii-i,'overiunent, that all power was Inherent in them. 
;ind that yovtrnnifnts dtrlve all just power from thi' eousent of the governed. 

They madr the ^'ovcinnicnl the creature of the p(Mij)le, and limited It to the exercise ol 
such powers only as should he dele^'ated to it by the people. Under it the rulers and offl- 
rers are servants ot the people. Thus the people are sovereign and rule themselves 
through oftKiers chosen by them for that purpose. 

By the Constitution, which Is a delegation of powers to the general government, our 
l)eo'ple have secured more religious and political liberty than is enjoyed by any other 
L^ovci-imieni on earth. 

That you fully appreciate the blessings of su<-h a government, and revere the memory 
of the 'iood aii(i wise nini who establishrd and defended it In its infancy, is fully attested 
i>y the patriotic devotion with which you defended it when in peril. One himdred years 
of the practical workings of our government have lully proved the wisdom of its founders. 

Though manv things have occurred to mar our happiness In our existence as a govern- 
ment, we confidently repeat that to-day we enjoy the most free, least oppressiv«%and most 
perfect system of g<)vernment of any people on the earth. 

Ill its practical workings there may be and doubtless are defects, not attributable to 
I lie sysreiii, but to its execution, hut the remedy for all such defects Is in the hands of the 
lieopl'c, wliose government it Is, and if they do not remedy them they should not complain. 
All that is needed Is virtue, intelligence, and honesty, to make the government all it was 
destined to be bv its founders. 

In view of these facts, fellow-citizens of I'ike, may we not urge you to renew your devo- 
tion to the country bv laying aside all other business and coming up to the County Seat, 
'<n the Fourth of July next, kn masse, to ctdelirate the One Hundreth .\nnlversary ot oui- 
National Independence 

Especially do we extend an iii\ itation to the early settlers of our county to be present 
and to take part in the exercises of the day. .Vs pioneers In the great work ot subduing 
unA bringing Into cultivation the fair land wherein we d%vell, of establishing the 
rhnusands of happv homes, and creating the religious, social and material prosperity that 
exist within our borders, tlie\ will meet with a hearty greeting fruni their successors on 
iliat dav. Let them then come, and witness the outpouring of a people wlio will on that 
occasion come from tile hlU-tops, plains and valleys, that they have known but as the 
liomes of the savages, man ami beast . 

In pursuance of the ixiwer conferred upon the Committee, they have chosen a.s the his- 
torian of the eountv for that <la\, the Hon. \Vm. \. (irimshaw, himself one of the earliest 
settlers in the county, and who, by reason thereof, and his eminent ability, is most full\ 
iltialitied for the iiosition. 

The Committee would most lesjiectfully urge upon the citl/ens of each town to proceed 
immediateh to the selection of a town historian to the end that, with the general histo- 
ry of the coiinty, to be prepared by the (,'ounty Historian, that of each town as a separate 
municipal orga'iii/atlon may be preserved tor the future Centennial Historian. 

C. L. HIGBKE, Chairman. 
\VM. A. CiKI.MSHAW, 
JAME.S S. IKWIN, 
WM. R. ARCHER, 
STROTHER CJRIGSHY. 
.1. M. BUSH, 
HICHARH M. ATKINSON, 



Tjadies, (ientlemen, mid F^ellov^ (Citizens : 

With gratitude to Almighty God, who ruleth the destinys of na- 
tions, as of individuals, we welcome this our Nation's Birth day. 

This Centennial day brings evidence to us of the wisdom and 
foresight of the Fathers of this National Government. 

How proud we all should and do feel that we are one illustrious, 
powerful nation, and not divided into jealous, intriguing states; as a 
people, free as the air we breathe, we are yet bound with the cords 
of Nationality to the great idea of our Fathers, expressed by a 
Patriot, "The Union, one and inseparable. " Free as to all our indi- 
vidual rights and with no encroachment upon our rights as citizens 
of Illinois, or of any other State Subject to the universal law of 
civilization, which requires restraint on the actions of individuals, 
in furtherance and protection of the general good of our fellow men. 
Long may we love, cherish and protect our United States, and 
love with our hearts' devotion the Flag of our Fathers, the emblem 
of our great and glorious nation, renowned to earth's remotest 
bounds. 

The cffice of historian for this occasion was conferred by the 
Committee, appointed by a meeting, as will be seen by the published 
report thereof, to be annexed to the proceedings of this day. 

Sensible of the high honor which the office of historian confers, I 
shrink from the effort to discharge it ; by many it will be said these 
are but dry details, such is often the task of the historian, and in 
asmuch as the scope of my duty, on this occasion, is circumscribed 
by tli6 reduced limits of Pike County, as compared with its original 
lioundaiies, the subjects of greatest interest are in a measure with- 
drawn from our consideration in this sketch, and yet it is justifiable 
to claim for Pike County part of the history of her former territory, 
now embraced in towns and cities and counties of high repute, of 



6 

great extent, solid in weaitli, and leading in all tho inoidonts whioli 
make conspienous and renowned tho pi'esent social and political po- 
sition of a part of old Pike, now l)eyond her limits. 

In this Centennial year we may indulge in patriotism, and yet in 
days gone by, it is evident from the name of our loved, beautiful 
and favored (^ounty, that upon it was bestowed a name worthy of its 
present high standing, as a Dart of the great and fertile State of 
Illinois ; the limits of the original territory of Pike County are not 
excelled in scenery, fertility, healtlifulness and in the various resourc- 
es which serve to form a great, civilized conntr}', in this advanced 
age. The name of our county was given in lionor of the gallant 
General Pike, for whom Pike's Peak is called. 

We have assembled to-day to contemplate the stupendous events 
of a Century. 

Our nation, renowned as far as fame has spread, unsurpassed in 
all the essentials of greatness, by any country on the Globe, is but 
in her early life, compared with the nations of the old world. 

One hundred years ago the thirteen feeble colonies entered u])on 
a desperate political enterprise. How discerning the great men 
who projected the government which supplanted the old Monarchy 
and exchanged a government by and for the people, a represent- 
ative Democracy, for the old form of King, Lords and Commons. 

Grand is the .success of the United States of North America in 
her system of government and in all that exalts a great, prosperous 
and free nation. Imagine the scene if the heroic, stately Washing 
ton, the sage Jefferson, the wise Adamses, the eloquent Patrick 
Henry and all the men of civic and military renown, could now visit 
us, they who laid up in store for us, or won by their mighty 
prowess, guided by God's good providence, the inestimal)le blessings 
we enjoy. Their deeds immortalized them and conferred on us all 
the gieatness of the past, since tlie memoral)le day of July 4. 177G. 

THE LIMITS OF THIS HISTORY. 

We are pi'ecluded from going into details as much as we coultl 
desire. Tliis history is prepared in the intervals of those pursuits 
which could not be deferred, and it is impossible to do justice to 
the entire field which might be; embraced. We must content our 
selves with a rapid review of the most promincmt incidents and ab- 
stain from writing extended biographies or even atUnnpting a full 
history, many subjects will unavoidably be omitted, numerous 
peisons of prominence will not be spoken of. 

The aim has been to give so much of the lives of prominent men, 
especially those who served the county, state and nation as will il - 
lustrate the history of Pike County and to some degree present the 
claims of the most active or prominent in forming its history. 

The citizens of this conntv have always been markcM] for a love of 



our national government, for partifipatinn in all state measures to 
promote the common good of Illinois. 

With one brief exception, the period of the Vigilance Committee, 
local government has always been of an orderly character. The 
brief excitement of that period led to more efficient laws for the pro- 
tection of society and thus good came out of evil. The escape of 
criminals from punishment led to the organization of the Vigilanc" 
Committee. "From seeming evil still educing good." Tragic scenes 
are not of this history. 

No fratricidal strife, no display of brothers in battle array, with 
deadly cannon and all the dread habiliments of war are portrayed 
here. 

The life of our citizens has been with few exceptions that of 
peaceful farmers and townsmen, busy in the affairs of domestic life. 
Thus your historian has no startling tales to tell. 

Still as the current of your own gentle river Illinois, with a few 
swells in the stream of life, when wars, waged beyond the limits of 
our present county, called off our men to war, has been the life of 
your people. Industry has prevailed. Education has had its 
marked influence and the holy gospel, taught in its beauty and sim- 
plicity has pervaded your every walk in life. Crime has, notwith- 
standing been perpetrated, to be brought generally to condign pun 
ishment. Such is generally the end of those who violate laws, 
human and divine. 

PIKE COUNTY, HER EXTENT AND ORGANIZATION. 

This county, once embracing tl>o fairest portions of the Eden-like 
State of Illinois, yet retaining in her limits land beautiful to look 
upon, desirable to inhabit and famed for her fair daughters, her 
gallant sons, prosperous farmers and mechanics, able professional 
men and legislators, her present territory equal yet almost to 
some of the old thirteen states, owes much if not all of this to the 
patriotism and foresight of the Revolutionary fathers. 

Contemplate the vastness of Pike county, as she was, when or- 
ganized by the act of the Legislature of 1821 in these words : 

AN ACT TO FORM A NEW COUNTY ON THE BOUNTY 
LANDS.— APPROVE]^ JANUARY ;?1, 1821. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by thf People of the State of Illinois, 
represented in the general assembly. That all that tract of country 
within the following boundaries, to-wit : l)eginning at the month 
of the Illinois river and running thence up the middle of said riv«r 
to the fork of the same, thence up the south fork of said river until 
it strikes the state line of Indiana, thence north with said line to 
the north boundary line of this state, thence west with said line to 



8 

the west boundaiy line of this state, and thence with said line to 
the place of beginning?, shall constitute a separate county, to be 
called Pike. 

••()li (!lirist ! it is u deiifious sight to see. 
What heaven liath done for this delicious laud. 
Wlmt fruits of fragrauce blush on every tree : 
What goodly jirospcots o'er the hills expand." 

To repeat the extent of the boiindaries. (^n the south, bej^in at 
the junction of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, thence follow the 
Illinois to the fork of the same, meaning the Kankakee, thence to 
the line of the state of Indiana, thence North and West embracing 
the territory from Chicago, following on the line of Wisconsin to the 
Mississippi river, including the famed lead mines of Galena, and to 
the channel of the Mississippi, thence descending to the place of 
beginning. 

First note the beautiful, still gliding river, the Illinois, then ob- 
serve the majestic Father of Waters. Traverse all this territory, 
great in extent, formerly the home of savage tribes of Indians : the 
land marked by the tread of the buffalo and dotted over with the 
graves and mounds, the relics of extinct races, the fierce brute 
creation and game and fish abounding, prairies illimitable, adorned 
with flowers of gorgeous hue, fruits delicious in profusion and great 
variety, forests of vast size filled with gigantic trees and of many 
species, rivers bounding unfettered by man's contrivances, then no 
locks and dams existed thereon, fish in myriads were then the 
dwellers in those rivers, and these all existed in 1821 wh^n Pike 
county was struck off by name from the older settlements and the 
few counties then existing in Illinois. 

The territory of Pike county, as laid oft' in 1821, was cut off from 
Madison county. The coianties tlien existing and created in Janu- 
ary, 1821, were, San</<i)n<), Greene, Madison, Pike, St. Clair, P>on(l, 
Montgomery, Fayette, Washington. Monroe, Randolph, Jackson, 
Union, Alexander, Clark, Crawford, Lawrence, Edwards, Wayne, 
White, Hamilton, Jefferson, Franklin, Johnson, Gallatin, Pope, 
all South and East of the river Illinois excepting Pike, t/iiienty ski' in 
all. About one-half the century since our Nation was pronounced 
by the Declaration of Independence to be' free and independent has 
elapsed since the organization, and see how changed Pike county 
is. Behold the marvellous picture, unsurpassed in history : if we 
contemplate Pike county, as its original territory was, and view its 
almost supfu'human bounds to its piesent condition. 

THE POPULATION OF ILLINOIS. 

Illinois was created a territory, oft' Indiana territory, in 1809. in 
1818 a State. We are now livinof nrnhn' tlie tliird Constitution, 



framed for our guidance by the voluntary act of tha people. la 
1810 the census of the inhabitants of Illinois was but tn^elve thous^ 
and two hundred and eighty two; in 1820, 55,211; in 1830, 157,- 
445; in 1835, 272,427; in 1870, over two and one-half millions by, 
the last national census. 

About 1835 the Illinois & Michigan Canal was arresting the at- 
tention of emigrants and speculators, it being a startling novelty, 
but wise public work. Cook and Duncan, of Illinois, deserve the 
laurels for this grand work, thereby uniting the waters of Lake 
Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico. 

Originally this canal was about one hundred miles in length. It 
serves a great purpose, economizing and^facilitating the ti'affic in stone 
lumber and other heavy articles. This canal has been extended and, 
deepened since its first coming into use. 

In 1830 the population of Pike county, in its present limits, was 
2,39G ; in. 1835 it had more than doubled, then mostly composed of 
a farming population, the towns up to that date being few and 
small. Now oiir population approximates thirty-eight thousand, 
and yet we have no large city, but many interesting town* aaxj 
villages. 

Up to 1830 the most noted places or towns in Pike county, before 
its subdivision, were Peoria, then known as Fort Clark, Warsaw, 
then called Fort Edwards. Quincy was a very small place, and 
other towns, now thriving county seats, were just starting. In 1830 
Cook county was laid off, it once being embraced in Pike county. 

There was in the limits of Cook county, an Indian locality, Chi 
cagoux, so called as early as 172G ; thus you see we may trace 
earlier settlers than the Rosses, and Wheeloeks, of Atlas, and Garret 
Van Deusen, of *Blue river, the latter the foreriumer of Jonathan 
Frye as a miller. 

The Indians say of the place we now call Chicago, "the first lohite 
man who settled here was a negro." His name was Jean Baptiste 
Point An Sable, a native of St. Domingo, who went to Chicago in 
1796 ; this man afterwards died in Peoria. At Peoria, also, French 
settlement ante-dated the settlement of the present Pike county. 

Observe what a grand array of counties has sprung up from the 
subdivision of the original territory of Pike county. How historic 
the names of these counties ! See the map of the old Military 
Tract, once the almost entire source of Revenue to the State, by its 
land taxes, beginning with Calhoun and running up to Wai-^i'en, 
Mercer, Henry and Knox on the North. Some of the counties in 
that tract have been subdivided, as Schuyler had Brown set off 
from her, Warren was divided and Henderson created. Putnam was 
a large county, lying on both sides of the Illinois river, and Stark 
was cut off therefrom. 

Eighteen other counties have been created from old Pike North 
of the "Military Tract." In 1832 the Sacs and Fox Indians devas- 



10 

tated a portion of tlie country from Galena to the Yellow Banks, or 
Oquaka, in Warren, now Henderson, that being the Black Hawk 
war. Settlements were very sparse then from Galena to Quincy, 
and also across to Chicago. Now see the cities and towns, popu- 
lous, beautiful, full of energy and industry, and the farms unsurpass- 
ed in fertility and comfort. 

To revert, in 1827 the Winnebago Indians by an outbreak near 
Galena, on Fever river, got up a little war, soon ended. At those 
dates Rock Island was a village, Dixon not existing. Galena a small 
place, but the largest North of St. Louis, and larger than Chicago up 
to 1836, at the sale of the canal lands. Galena was famed then 
more than now for her lead mines. Then there was no Moline and 
her steel plough factory, and wooden mould board ploughs were the 
great ploughs of the day. 

Time and space forbid to recall all the progress of every part of 
old Pike, the census of the counties, cities and towns in the territory 
once Pike, but now in the newer counties would disclose vast growth 
in all the essentials of a prosperous country. Chicago, Quincy, Peoria 
and the other cities outstripping in growth anything preceding them 
on this continent. 

PIKE COUNTY. 

Let us confine ourselves for a time to the actual territory now 
within this county, and consider its progress and present condition. 

THE FIRST COUNTY SEAT. 

This was at Cole's Grove (now obsolete) but near 'Gilead, in the 
limits of Calhoun county, there was held the first Probate Court on 
the 23d of May, 1821, and the first Circuit Court for Pike county, 
John Reynolds as Judge, beginning on the 1st day of October. 1S21. 
At that court a noted and peculiar trial took place of two Indians 
for murder, and the following full record of the case is now to be 
seen at Pittsfield, in Volume 1, Page 4, of the Records of the Circuit 
Court. 

The People, &c., ] 

! 

Pemesan and \ Wednesday Morning, October 30, 1821. 

Shonwennekeii I 
(Two Indians.) J 

The Jury in this cause came into Court and 
returned the following verdict, t(i-wit : We have agreed in our 
verdict, according to the evidence before us, that Pemesan, other- 
wise called Traveler, is guilty of MantihuKilder^ and that the other, 
called Sqnet Ihish, is Xot iixilt;/. It is therefore ordered and ad- 



11 

judged by the Court that the said Shonwennekeh, otherwise called 
Spice Bush, go hence and be wholly discharged and acquitted. And 
it is therefore further ordered and adjudged by said Court, that the 
said Pemesan, otherwise called Traveler, make his fine to the People 
of this State in the sura of twenty-five cents, and be imprisoned for 
the term of twenty four hours. 

The earliest record book of the proceedings of the County Com- 
missioners, jDrior to the June term, 1832, is lost. A fire took place 
at Atlas which consumed some records and files of the Courts, and 
it is probable the aforesaid record was then lost. 

SECOND COUNTY SEAT. 

Atlas was the second county seat and thereat was erected a Court 
House of framework, but of no architectural pretensions, which 
never was finished as a Court House, being used as such in an in- 
complete state. There was also a small but solid log jail, a terror to 
evildoers, but not often tenanted. 

FIRST SETTLERS OF ATLAS. 

It was settled by New Englanders in 1821. In the summer of 
1823 the town was laid out, its earliest settlers being Leonard Ross, 
who had been a captain in the U. S. service durfng the war of 1812 
with England, and his brothers William, John, Clarence, Henry J., 
the latter being for fifteen years the leading physician in Pike, and 
extending his ride to other counties. He was an excellent physician, 
a genial friend and honest man ; he died in 1836, leaving no child- 
ren. 

.The late Colonel William Ross was one of those pioneers of 
Atlas These Ross brothers were all married men and had most 
estimable and refined families. Dexter Wheelock with his wife, 
settled at Atlas about the time of the Ross family arriving. He had 
been during the war of 1812 a drummer, and was a very active, 
generous man. and for a time the hotel keeper and had a family and 
o^her grocery store. He is long dead, his wife and a son and 
daughter yet survive ; and no more estimable man of the early 
born settlers yet lives than John G. Wheelock, the aforesaid son, 
now one of the Sny Levee Commissioners. 

There was another conspicuous character among those early set- 
tlers of Atlas. Benjamin Barney, who was a man of great physical 
powers, of strong natural sense, benevolent, patriotic, not learned in 
book lore, but wise in that which made him a leader in trying times ; 
he was long the County Blacksmith, and that meant the only one in 
fifty miles ; sober, industrious, always at his post. His tales of 
early adventure are marvellous, and yet undoubtedly true. 



12 

Colonel Wm. Ross as aid to General Whitesides, and Ben. Barney; 
afterwards Colonel of the 17th Illinois Militia, both took part in the 
Black Hawk war in 1882, and that campaign and the battle of 
Buena Vista made Zachary Taylor president. 

Colonel Ross died within a short period. Colonel Barney yet 
survives in a vigorous old age. 

We will speak further of the Ross brothers. Leonard was Sheriff, 
and William was until sometime after Pittsfield was laid out. Clerk 
of the Circuit Court, Probate Judge, and County Court, as well as 
Postmaster at Atlas, for a time the only post office in the present 
part of Pike county ; there was thereafter up to 1833 the post office 
at Clio, at Charles Stratton's, and the post office at Bay, south of 
Pleasant Hill. 

Colonel Ross was prominent as a representative from this county 
in the Legislature in 1836, at the time of the unfortunate, illadvised 
Internal Improvement system, which fell through, entailing a debt 
of millions of dollars on the young, struggling State, and yet that is 
all paid. He was afterwards state senator, and was noted for his 
shrewd public spirit and for many donations. He was not the 
originator of the internal improvement system ; the Road Law of 
1835, so called, which was of value to Pike, was the work of Colonel 
Ross. 

At Atlas, prior to Pittstield's location, was a cabinet shop of 
Mr. Branson, and Stephen R. Watson, yet in life near Barry, was 
the tailor who dressed the men in Sunday best. An old resident, 
now of Pittsfield, who is alive and upwards of eighty years of age, 
James Ross, had the first turners lathe and a cabinet shop ; he was 
also a constable at an early day and was in the Black Hawk war. 
It was better than a farce to hear Ross tell his yarns in his pahny 
days ; he was the Baron Munchausen then. 

Ebenezer Franklin, an early settler, and about dating with the 
Ross family, to whom was born the first son in Pike county, 
has been gathered to his fathers many years, leaving respected 
sons and descendants. 

Robert and Joseph Goodin and Fisher Petty were amongst the 
noted men of Highland. Petty was a County Commissioner at 
Pittsfield. Mr. Murphy was the first County Surveyor. Joseph 
Goodin was County Surveyor thereafter, a good officer ; lie is yet 
living, but in Missouri. 

Ephraim Cannon, Sheriff afterwards of Pike, was an early and 
respected citizen. James M. Seeley, was for twelve years noted as the 
honest, easy Sheriff. It was his duty to collect revenue ; if a man 
was not ready to pay his tax, Seeley paid it and trusted him. Seeley 
had a numerous family, of whom Dr. E. M. Seeley, wlio was a sur- 
geon during the late war, was one, another, Dr. David Seeley, was 
an early settler of and died in Texas. 

Benjamin D. Brown, now of Barry, once lived at Atlas. He came 



18 

in 1834 from the East ami was a first class millwright and fitted np 
the mills at Rockport, those wcro greeted by the Rosses and others. 

A.11 the settlers above named, but Brown, ante-dated Pittsfield, as 
did Colonel N. E. Quinby, who with John Jay Ross were resident 
lawyers in Pike preceding 1833 ; both are dead. 

The business of the county prior to 1833 was all carried on at 
Atlas ; there were two general stores. Warburton & Co., of St. 
Louis, with whom Col. Ross was a partner, had a large brick store 
sQ,nd did an extensive business, all on credit or barter. Mr. Francis 
Webster who died after residing some years in .St. Louis, also hiid a 
geAieral store ; with him his brother Thomas was clerk and is now a 
jyjominent officer in an insurance office in St. Louis. 

Dexter Wheelock kept a tavern, snug (]uarters, and also had 
liquors for sale and groceries for family use. The old brick mansion 
at Atlas, erected nrior to 1833 by Colonel Ross, as well as the <»]d 
l»rick mansion of Leonard Ross and the brick I'esidenco of Sherifl' 
Seeley, are yet standing. Edward McCord, who marriccl Miss 
Seeley, resides in the latter. 

PROMINENT SETTLERS IN OTHER PARTS OF PIKE. 

Prioi' to 1833 there were many prominent settlers, very useful and 
upright. Amongst these were George W. Hinman and Hawkins 
Judd, who were County Commissioners with Colonel Ben. Barney, 
when they b-^ught of tlie United States for $200 the quarter section 
of land upon which Pit<^sfield was located. Hinman and Judd are 
dead 

Garrett Van Deusen, an eccentric, Knickerbocker dutchman, was 
a justice of the peace in an early day, and likely one of the earliest 
settlers east of Pittsfield, on Blue river, and was the originator of a 
queer device to crack corn, operated likely as Adam ran the first 
mill. Van Deusen used the stream of Blue river at a narrow place, 
and by catching and confining the water therefrom in a hollow tree 
or trough, open at the end up stream and closed at the lower end. 
he worked a swinging pestle, which was susuended over a mortal', 
to eiack Indian corn. The process was to let the trough fill with 
water nearly to overflowing, when by its weight it would descend, 
dashing the pestle into the mortar and crushing the corn. The 
pestle being adjusted some distance from the end of the trough, up 
stream, the water spilled beyond the mortar and the machine adjust- 
ed itself for another beat at the corn. 

ATLAS. 

In the vicinity of Atlas Henry Long, from Baltimore city, settled 
about the year 1827. During a residence of many years, until his 
decease on his farm, he was a useful citizen and upright man. He 



14 

reared a second numerous family of intelligent and educated 
children. His son, Jesse Long, has been a Supervisor of Atlas 
township and resides on the old homestead of his father. 

CHAMBERSBURG. 

This town has had her celebrities, as Benj. Metz, once a worthy 
member of the Illinois Legislature ; Jack Morris, James Johns, the 
whole and numerous race of Metz junior, and also the abounding 
family of Ham. This family cannot realize the joke of Lord Bacon 
to one Hog, who claimed kin to his Lordship ; the Judge's replj' 
was, " Yott ((re not bacon until you (ire hun(/," and he then sentenced 
him to be hung. The Hams are too honest to swing so high. 

TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. 

Part of the plan proposed for the preservation and embodiment of 
the history of the county is through reports from the respective 
townships of local matters, of the biographies of men of repute. Tliis 
should cover all the matters and individuals not embraced in th(^ 
general sketch of the county now submitted. 

Pittsfield, as the county seat, is so interwoven with the county at 
large that more space is given tb the sketch of men in this locality 
than to others. 

The historian now announces to the audience and the public that 
if any subjects or individuals of note have not been introduced, it is 
not through an intention to slight any such, but has been owing to 
the short space of time allowed to work up this interesting field of 
labor, covering a space of fifty-five years. The history not being 
closed, in fact, suggestions will be. thankfully reccuved as to any ad 
ditions proper to be made : if communieatied in writing, action will 
be taken upon them. 

GENERAL TOPICS. 

Pike county has almost been tho mother of states to the west of 
Illinois. Having a pioneer population of an enterprising turn, 
large numbers have emigrated together to Oregon, Texas and Cali 
fornia and other remote points, follov,fing the star of empiie 
Many estimable farmers have gone further east in Illinois and settled 
in the prarie counties who once lived in Pike. 

The health of this county is almost invariably good, excepting in 
lowlands, where some malarious disease comes on at times. Long- 
levity exists to a marked degree, and children fairly swarm. Pros- 
perity and fine crops are the general results of industry. 

In 1833, when Pittsfield came into being, mails, once, then thrice 
weekly, were wonders. No iicw-sjiapers existed for many years ; 



15 

elsewhere we give the report of the rise and fall of newspapers. 
Chinch buildings were not erected, but came in apace with popula 
tion ; we now have nearly all known religions extant in the United 
States; these generally have houses of worship, some of 
them of fair appearance. The Methodist Episcopal has the highest 
steeple. We do not quite fill Dean Swift's description : "High 
church, low steeple, dirty streets and proud people." 

At present we have two banks, one National, under the acts 
of Congress, the other has an old state charter. Griggsville and 
Barry aiso have each a bank. 

PITTSFIELD S EARLY SETTLERS. 

It is said impartial history is not written of the living or of cur 
rent events. We now come to the sketch of many early settlers yet 
in life ; we do not speak in terms of eulogy for the reason that tlu^y 
may hear these remarks ; the families of the departed have heard 
the preceding, and we say that we have not set down anything in 
malice, and have not spoken through favor. We will not enumemte, 
as we cannot m the time name all the marked people of Pittsfield 
and the vicinity, but take those who filled a large space for many 
years in public estimation. 

Mrs. Nancy M. Heath, who came in the first years of Pittsfield, is 
a native of Ohio, a ward in childhood of Governor McArthur of that 
state ; she is venerable for her years, feeble in health, but of great 
endurance. She has witnessed many of the trials and active scenes 
of wtistern life ; her narative sf events, as told by her in person at an 
"Old Settlers" meeting, was very interesting. She has outlived 
many relatives and friends. Mrs, Heath and daughter, afterwards 
Mrs. A. V. Wills, kept one of the earliest schools in the county, and 
likely the first in Pit'sfield. 

Thomas Worthington, M. D., yet in life, was the earliest resident 
physician of Pittsfield : he came in 1833. For a long time he was 
not outranked by any in his profession here, and while his health 
permitted had a lucrative practice and was successful and popular 
He was for one term a State Senator from Pike- 

Merill E. Rattan, the first Postmaster of Pittsfield, long since 
dead, was also Probate Judge in Pike ; he kept a hotel on the same 
lot on which the "Oregon House" stands. 

William Watson, once a Probate Judge, and his wife are yet with 
us, advanced in years. Mrs. Watson, long a sufferer, but once a 
model housekeeper in the Mansion House, and a sincere friend. Mr. 
vVatson is daily seen, six days in the week with chums enjoying 
checkers in his old home, the "Mansion House Hotel. ' As a busi- 
ness man he was ever foremost, and by his industry, economy and 
honesty he accumulated a handsome property. 

Robert R. Greene, who, with his cousin, Austin Barber, opened 



16 

and carried on tlie earliest large store in Pittsfield, yet survives ; 
his health long tronbled him. He was an industrious, superior busi- 
ness man. Mrs. Greene was one of the earliest and higly respect- 
ed school teachers. 

Austin Barker, in his day the merriest of the gay, honest as the 
day is long, was for a period County CJlerk. He left well written 
records, in all particulars clean. 

Henry T. Mudd, honored of late often in Missouri, was a boy 
here. He is a first-class business man and early excelled in enei-gy. 
He was when a boy deputy in the post office and afterwards was 
(Jounty Clerk of Pike. 

THE POST OFFCE AT PITTSFIELD. 

This, from its central position and as a distributing office, has been 
a marked offi'^e. Many individuals have filled the position of Post- 
manster. Of Rattan and Crane we have spoken, and of Colonel D. 
B. Bush. Mr. Porter Bennett and his father, Lucius Bennett, the 
latter as acting Postmaster for many terms and at present. Mrs 
Louisia Gilmer was appointed by President Grant and fillhd the 
office very acceptably until her death. Miss Lizie Gilmer, daughter 
of her predecessor and of the late gallant Col. D. Harvey Gilmer, is 
now the incumbent of this office ; the duties of the office are faith- 
fully discharged. 

Although a delicate matter for this historian to write as to rela- 
tives, yet it would be far from complete unless record was made as 
to worthy relatives. 

John U. Grimshaw settled near Pittsfield in 1834 and afterwards 
moved to town and for many years was an active merchant, ex - 
emplary in his life and business, a true friend, a man of great intel- 
ligence, he has long departed to the better land. He was a cousin 
of this writer. 

Jackson Grimshaw, resident of Pittsfield for l-l years, then of 
Quincy, has gone as all must go to the land beyond the grave. He 
was popular and much beloved and was a leading member of the Bar 
of the State ; he died in Quiney in December, 1875. He was a beloved 
younger brother of the writer. 

This county has sent many sons and daughters to adorn society 
in the larger cities and to carry the beauty and order of civilized 
life to distant states and territories. We cannot particularize all who 
have gone out from us. St. Louis has energetic business men and 
physicians who owe to Pike county their earliest training. 

Dr. John Hodgen, an eminent surgeon of St. Louis now, was 
raised in Pike county and mostly about Pittsfield. 

Who among the early settlers but remembers that cjuiet, unob- 
trusive man, Jacob Hodgen, father of Dr. John Hodgen, and the 
benevolent member and leader in his. the Christian Church. 



17 

Amongst onr sons ilepavtod to ot'ier fields of glory were Messrs. 
O. M. Hatch and Alexander Starne, both residents of Griggsville, 
then of Pittsfield, each ran about the same career in Pike, both were 
Clerk of the Circuit Court and members of the Legislature from 
Pike county both have held the office of Secretary of State of Illi- 
nois, and are now residents of Springfield in [)rosperous circum 
stances. Mr. Starne recently has been a State Senator from his 
district. They are yet in the vig )r of manhood. 

At Pleasant Vale, earlier than Pittsfield, were several reputable 
families. Amos, Joseph and Pearly Jackson. 

Major James Tolbert, an old Virginian, he was an officer in the 
17th Illinois Militia at an early day. He left a numerous and re- 
spected family, and was himself a substantial farmer and upi'ight 
man. 

Horace Horton, yet in life, was an old sea captain, a very "jolly 
tar" from the state of Connecticut, an energetic man. He settled in 
1S32 above Rockport and still resides there. 

Lyman Scott, an early settler, married a daughter of Leonard 
Ross. He was for a time one of the owners of a former mill at 
Rockport , he was a pusliing biisiness man and removed early to 
Kansas and is dead. 

The Meredith and Neely settlements near the Illinois river, now 
Detroit township, were composed of several southern families, old 
set*-lers, prior to the location of Pittsfield. 

John Neely was an early County Commissioner, but removed to 
Texas and is dead. 

John Lyster, at times a Justice of the Peace, die<l recently in that 
settlement, of which he was an early and respected citizen and was 
often on the Grand Jury. 

David Dutton, of the vicinity of Pleasant Vale, long deceased, was 
a very early and active farmer and became a wealthy man. a warm 
friend, peculiar in his ways so as to be eccentric. 

At Bayville, Dr. Hezekiah Dodge, an eaily practioner of medi- 
cine, was from Virginia. He was a good study for a painter ; he 
was, as one described John Randolph, "long, lean and lank, and 
moved upon a spindle shank." He was respectably connected, and 
left numerous descendants who are highly esteemed. A son-in law 
of his, Mr. Ferguson, was once County Surveyor of Pike and a good 
citizen and officer. 

The brothers Belus and Egbert Jones were old settlers. Belus was 
never a lawyer, but a pettifogger, he hung on to Lord Coke (J. W. 
Whitney) like a bobtail to a kite. At court time it was said ; "No 
court till Coke and Belus come." 

EARLY SETTLERS IN OTHER PARTS OF PIKE. 

Fearful that township histories may not be forthcoming, we 



18 

sketch hastily the following, as the history is partial and incomplete 
unless tQem-^rial is preserved of the other meritorious persons 
whose names follow. 

GRIGGSVILLE. 

About this town were many highly respected and useful men, not 
so early settlers as the Atlas men already named. 

George W. Johnson was the founder of Griggsville. 

Nathan W. Jones, who is yet living, laid out part of Griggsville. 
He is a well preserved, energetic business man, the father of promi- 
nent sons, well known to the county. 

There were numerous Bradburys, highly respected. Abel Shelly, 
lately deceased, an estimable citizen. The Hai'ringtons, brothers, 
Martin yet in life, a wortliy man, and the venerable, pious Charles 
Harrington, who was once an efficient, upright Probate Judge of the 
county, and was a minister in the Baptist Church. 
■ Boone Scholl, the founder of Perry, which was laid out first by 
the name of Booneville, vvas a very worthy man . 

In the Northwest part of Pike there was an early settlement of 
very reputable citizens. 

Alfred Grubb, once called ''the little bay horse" for his sprightli- 
ness, was a good Sheriff and County Judge. Thomas Orr, noted as 
a grand juror for long years, was respected by all. Thomas Hull, a 
good farmer and remarkable for his active piety ; these all leave 
numerous descendants of great respectability. 

The Blairs, father and several sons, all good men, were in the 
vicinity of Barry before Pittsfield was laid out. William, son of the 
senior, was a marked member of the Illinois Legisla'^ure and an up 
right and useful man. He is long dead. Montgomery Blair, once 
a farmer, of later years a fair-dealing merchant in Barry, was a mem 
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1847. He lives, beloved by 
his family and friends. Harvey Blair is yet alive and an estimable 
farmer. 

It is impossible in this sketch to notice all the earlier settlers. 
Some ha\e emigrated, others have died. At court time at an early 
day in Pittsfield Samuel Gibson. Heniy Kent, George Gibson, 
Samuel G. Sitton, Esquire Hayden, the Tucker Brothers would be 
seen, and William Johnson,, James Johnson, and John and Jacob 
Heavener, the latter, although dressed in the homeliest garb, with 
his long rifle and his bosom friend. James Johnson, was a conspicu- 
ous man. Both of these men were possessed of great nerve and en- 
durance and made gieat havoc amongst the deer ; small varmints 
they despised. 

Samuel G. Sitton survives in his 75th year, and on June 20th. 
1870, he cut on his own farm an acre of wheat with a sickle and 
bound it up on that day and was in Pittsfield the next day as spry 



19 

as usual. Harvey Dunn, of Chambeipburg, was an old settler and in 
1847 was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Illinois. He 
was a very unassuming but intelligent, honest man and is long dead. 

Stephen R. Gray, venerable and respected in years, yet lives. He 
was sheriff about 1851 ; he is an early settler and resided at or near 
Barry and was at one time i'o8tmaste.i thereat ; for many years his 
home has been at Pittsfield. ' ' 

Hamilton Wills is yet as happy as ever, jolly in person, comfortab le 
in business, an old settler in Pittsfield, as a Justice of the Peace in 
former years, useful and respected, yet alive to make a saddle and 
get up a fine harness. 

Richard Kerr, of Pleasant Hill township, was an old farmer, a 
leading whig, and represented Pike county in the Legislature one 
term. He di(d many yeais since, esteemed by all, leaving many 
relatives in Pike. 

Bonaparte Greathouse, of Milton, was a County Commissioner at 
an early day, of great w(jrth, a good farmer, he is long dead and left 
surviving him a numerous family ; several of his sons are practition 
ers of law. 

Samuel L. Crane, now venerable in years, was a very early settler of 
Morgan county, Illinois, and has tilled acceptably with perfect integ- 
rity the office of Postmaster at Pittstield. ; he is now in private hfe. 
He IS the father of that useful son resident at Pittsfield, James H. 
Crane, who has been Circuit Clerk of Pike countv and yet lives here 
and IS a deputy clerk in the office of George W. Jones, our present 
efficient and popular Circuit Clerk. 

William B. Grimes yet lives in Pittsfield. He was an al)le and 
honest County Clerk for one term, su(!ceedino- William Steers, who 
was a good and worthy officer and his successor is Jonathan L. 
Frye, who was a son of an honest miller, Jonathan Frye. J. L. is 
now the incumbent of Hie County Clerk's office. 

James McWilliams, venerable for his years, influential in his town 
of Griggsville, has been a representative of the county in the Legis- 
lature and often a Supervisor of Griggsville township. He is an 
early settler of Griggsville. 

Daniel D. Hicks, now the esteemed cashier of the First National 
Bank, is an old resident of Pittsfield and has filled iionorably several 
offices. He was once Sheriff of the county. Daring his term of 
office a riot took place on an election day in Pittsfield, when many 
wild boys who had been good soldieis in the late Mexican war took 
a most active part in the riot, calling out "we are some pumpkins." 
By aid of a posse of the people, called hy Hicks, the riot was put 
down. 

FREE FRANK 
Frank McWorter, and his wife Lucy, with three children, emigrat- 



20 

ed from Kentucky and settled in Hadley township in the spring of 
1831 ; he had wintered in Greene county, Ilhnois in 1830. That 
family were the first settlers in Hadloy township, and none others 
arrived for two years. 

Frank McWorter laid out the town of New Philadelphia. 

Frank bought his own freedom and that of his wife and many of 
his children, and left provision in his will to buy grandchildren, 
which was carried out by his son, Solomon McWorter. 

Frank died about the year 1857, at 77 years of age. Lucy, his 
wife, died in her 99th year in 1871. Frank was born in South 
Carolina, Lucy in Virginia. Both these old people were members of 
the Baptist Church and people of exemplary lives. By industry and 
economy they left a valuable farm to their heirs. A large and re- 
spectable settlement of their descendants now exists around the old 
home. 

This county has had many eminent physicians, prominent amongst 
whom at an early day were Doctors Hatch, senior, of Grigg8vil!e, 
long deceased, and his son, S. C. Hatch, M. D., now of Barry, yet 
practicing ; he was a surgeon during the rebellion, in the Union 
army. 

Dr. Higgins, also of Griggsville, once Superintendent of the State 
Insane Institution, and has been a useful member of the Legislature 
of Illinois, is yet in successful practice as M. D. 

John Hay, the author of "Pike County Ballads," Secretary since to 
the Spanish Mission, and private secretary to Lincoln, now on the 
staft' of the New York Tribune^ was a boy at Pittsfield. of great 
hilarity, but not wicked as his ballads might imply. 

CONGRESSMAN. 

Pike county and the district is now represented by one of her 
own sons, for the first time, in Congress, by Scott VVike, well-known 
at the Pike county bar, and yet himself young in years and a bach- 
elor. We hope he will not die, as President Buchanan, in the same 
state of life. 

COUNTY OFFICERS. 

Henry R. Ramsay, wlio died in November, 1873, at his farm in 
Atlas township, was an early settler, a man of great probity and in- 
telligence. He was once County Commissioner of Pike county, and 
an active business man ; he was much beloved. 

Parvin PauUin, a native of New Jersey, came in mature years to 
Pike, served one term as a representative in the Illinois Legislature 
from Pike, and was Probate Judge of the county. He discharged 
his duty with honor and efficiency ; he died many years since. 

Reuben W Scanland, a member of the bar, but more noted as 



21 



Squire, long a leading Justice of the Peace, popular and wlien in 
health and so inclined a very useful officer. He is dead several 
years. 

Joshua Woosley, of Barry township, has been a noted man and has 
served one term with great usefulness and with perfect integrity as 
Sheriff. He is an old settler and is yet an active man. 

Captain Elisha Hart was Sheriff of Pike county, and filled the 
office judiciously and honorably. He served during the war of the 
rebellion in the Union anry with distinction. 

John McTucker, last of Barry, once of Hadley township, was on 
the Board of Supervisors from Hadley, and often on the committees 
of the Agricultural Society of Pike, a first-class farmer, an upright 
and intelligent man, of great benevolence and very popular. He lost 
his life by an accident in endeavoring to get upon a railroad car 
when nearing his home after a trip to California, taken on behaff of 
his brother, resident there. He left a numerous and respected fam- 
ily and a valuable estate. 

THE MILITARY RECORD. 

"Ill records tliat <lc'ty tlic tooth of time." 

Pike county had brave sons in various regiments. We cannot 
enumerate all or any nu'-ber of them. We refer to the muster rolls 
of regiments. W^e specify regiments in which we know that Pike 
had brave men and officers. 

Many soldiers of the American Revolution and the war of 1812 
have resided in Pike. 

This county early in the rebellion furnished large nuaibers of men 
and officers to the early regiments, as to the 8th Illinois, which was 
at Shiloh, Donaldson and other battles and was distinguished • 
one of Its heroes, Tip Winans, yet lives, although he was terriblv' 
wounded and is lame for life. 

The 16th Illinois, in which Major Sam Hayes and Captain Geo. 
Stewart were officers, had a company or more from Pike. Other 
infantry regiments had many individuals who were valiant soldiers 
from Pike, as the 28th and 38d infantry. 

The Lyon Regiment, of Missouri, enlisted many volunteers from 
Pike who went through the heavy fights of the west and south and 
many fell m action. Major Benjamin Sellon, of that regiment, who 
was also m other command, survives after being severely wounded 
and has not yet recovered fully therefrom. 

The 2nd Illinois Cavalry, noted in the field for bravery, raised a 
company or more from Pike. Of its officers, after its first organiza- 
tion, several Pike county men rose to high distinction and hi^-h com- 
mand. Colonel ,ro/m J. M„dd was advanced from that office to 
clnef of cavalry in the Banks expedition to Red River, and fell l)rave 



22 

ly endeavoring to repulse an attack on a gun boat on which he was 
traveling. 

Colonel Daniel B. Bush, Jr., was aftei-wards in command of that 
regiment and ser\ed with distinction. He is now in California. 

The 99th Illinois Infantry was all enlisted in Pike county and 
served from 18G2 until the end of the war. Colonel George W. K. 
Bailey was the first Colonel, being wouniled severely at Vicksburg, 
the command fell on the Lieutenant Colonel, Asa C. Matthews, who 
distinguished himself therein anil at the latter part of the war was 
sent on a commission against Indians who had been active in the 
war of rebellion. 

The 101st Illinois, under Governor Wood, had many men from 
Pike. 

Almost every leading family of Pike county was represented in 
the regiments which were in the field, and it is impossible at this 
time to make up a Roll of Honor. If made it would redound to the 
glory of the brave boys in blue from old Pike. 

Reuben B. Hatch, formerly a resident of Griggsville, a native of 
New Hampshire, more recently before his death, of Pittsfield, Pike 
county, Illinois, was appointed Quartermaster of Union troops in 
18G2, and did an immense deal of vigorous work in his department 
to forward the Union troops from Cairo to the field. Under General 
Grant he was present at the battle fiwld of Belmont. He was with 
the department as Quartermaster at the surrender of Vicksburg, 
and was during his service a most energetic officer, ranking as 
Colonel, and being the ranking Quartermaster of the army with 
Grant in the Mississippi Valley. He is buried at Griggsville, lUi 
nois, and was interred with Masonic Honors. 

Captain Benj. Matthews, of Perry, is an old settler and a man of 
energy and great respectability. Althougli past the age when mili- 
tary duty could be exacted, he entered at the organization of the 
99th Illinois and went to the field, serving with credit. 

Captain George T. Edwards, the wnll-known host of the Griggs- 
ville and now Pittsfield House, was also a Captain in the 99th Illi- 
nois, and proved a stiriing, brave officer, as he had been a superior 
Sheriflt' in the county. 

'•The paths of li'lory lead l)ut to tlic uTavo." 

Colonel Daniel H. Gilmer, a member of the bar, of great popu- 
larity, Master in Chancery of the Circuit Court of Pike county, and 
in successful practice in his profession, impelled by his patriotism, 
entered an Illinois regiment. His promotion was rapid and he soon 
was Colonel. He followed the fluctuating fortunes of the war. and 
bravely leading his regiment fell in the Union army at the bloody 
battle of Stone river. His body, after tedious search, was found 
and was buried with, distinguished honor in the cemetery south of 



28 

Pittsfield. Many mourned for tlie "-allant "Diok." 

Major Samuel Hayes, once a very active lawyer, and a partner of 
Hon. G. L. Higfbee before he became Judge, was an exceed- 
ingly jovial man, popular amongst the young. He was truly brave. 
When a mere youth he had been with the army of the United States 
in Mexico and went through bloody fields. He entered the volun- 
teer service in the 16th Illinois during the rebellion as Captain. He 
was immediately elected a Major of tliat regiment, went to the field, 
and aftei' service in Missouri and the South, having always been a 
vigilant, brave officer, he died of disease engendered in the service 
of his country and is buried in the Pittsfield Cemetery, west of 
town. 

Edward G. Bush, a son of Colonel Daniel B., Sen., is now a Maj-^r 
in the Regular Army of the United States. He has seen much 
service and has been promoted for gallantry ; he is a good scholar and 
brave officer. He was the only cadet ever sent from Pike county to 
the West Point U. S. Military Academy, at which he was for a time 
Professor of Spanish, and graduated therefrom with honor and has 
continued in the United States Army. Kh is now with his regiment 
in Texas. 

Dorus E. Bates, son of Dorus Bates, Esq., of Pittsfield, an early 
Justice of the Peace, was a Lieutenant in Sherman's regiment of 
United States Regulars, and was wounded in the siege of Vicksburg, 
undci- Grant. He was shot down at the siege and lost his arm from 
the wound received. He is now a worthy pensioner, and was in ac- 
tion an intrepid soldier and from boyhood has had many escapes 
from loss of life. He seems to have a charmed life. 

Jonathan Winans, Jr., was a private in the 8th Illinois and was 
with his regiment under Oglesby in many deadly battles. He was 
wounded almost unto death at ; he was crippled for life, and it is 
a miracle that he now survives. He is a pensioner, andt rnly deserves 
the money received. 

THE SNY CARTEE LEVEE. 

Upon the immediate lands on tlie Mississippi bottom has been 
constructed, at a cost of $G50,00() dollars, an earth embankment, or 
levee, continous throughout the length of the west side of said 
county of Pike. It begins at a sand ridge on the river Mississippi 
in Adams county, and meandering along said river through Pike 
passes into Calhoun county, to the intersection of Hamburg Bay 
wit 1 said river. It is about fifty-two miles in length. 

This structure was made, under general legislation of Illinois, 
by Commissioners William Dustin. John G. Wheelock and George 
W. Jones, appointed by the County Court of Pike county in 1872. 
Dastin's place, after his death, was filled by Benjamin F. Westlake. 

This levee was carried through, after being underway over two 



24 

years, by completion in the spring of 1875. It withstood a, flood 
from the river and also very high water from the inland creeks in 
that year, but in April, 187G, owing to very rapid rises in the Missis- 
sippi and exceedingly high winds prevailing for several days, the 
levee was broken from the river side, the water pouring in destroy- 
ing large and valuable crops of growing wheat and floating off 
fences, drowning out inhabitants. No lives were lost, but spring- 
planting was retarded. Stock had to be withdrawn. 

The land-owners have caused contracts to be let to repair the 
three breeches in the levee, which are rapidly proceeding, with the 
prospect of corn crops being raised, planted in June, 187C. 

EAIL ROADS. 

The county has paid, or contributed in bonds, $250,000 towards 
building the Hannibal & Naples Rail Road, about 38 miles long, 
crossing the county from east to west, and the branch road, the 
Louisiana & Pike Coimty Road, from the aforesaid road at Maysville 
to the corporation of Pittsficld on the north line, about six miles. 
The Townships of Pittsfield and Newbui'g paid in bonds about ij^Bl,- 
000 to this branch road, and $100,000 was paid thereon out of tlie 
first named subscription. 

Several passenger and freight trains pass daily on these roads. 
By these roads daily connection may be had to the Atlantic and 
Pacific, the entire trip in eight or ten days across the continent. 

The Chicago & Alton Railway has a branch road from its Jackson- 
ville branch to Louisiana, Missouri, traversing the southern tier of 
townships of Pike. This branch crosses the Illinois river by a 
bridge, with a draw to pass steamers, the bridge and road being in 
Pearl township at the Illinois. This road crosses on a magnificent 
bridge the Mississippi river to Louisiana, Missouri. 

The Toledo, Wabash & Western operates the aforesaid Hannibal 
& Naples Road and the six mile branch to Pittsfield. 

The Toledo, Wabash & Western aforesaid operates a road to 
Quincy which just crosses the northeast corner if Pike county on a 
bridge across the Illinois river. 

This road uses a bridge acnjss the Mississippi river, at Hannibal, 
which is a rail and wagon road bridge. 

The Quincy, Alton & St. Louis Rail Road is constructed and 
operated from Quincy to Hannibal, and also to Louisiana. These 
pass through townships in said Levee District in Pike county. 

These roads all have fine steam engines, elegant passenger coach- 
es and freight cars passing daily. 

MAIL FACILITIES NOW AND THEN. 

In 188H, and for many yc^ars, on(^ weekly mail entered the county 



25 

from the southeast, cominp^ from Ht. Louis and going to Galena and 
intermediate offices (and those scarce), carried by change of horses, 
and by many contractors, in leather bags across the horse. 

Some years after Pittsfield was laid out a tri-weekly horseback 
mail was carried from Jacksonville and other points east, then a tri- 
weekly mail coach to Pittsfield. for many years ran daily, with a de- 
livery of mails from many points ; in about two and a half days from 
New York and five from California to Pittsfield. Postage across the 
continent three cents for ordinary letters and regulated by weight. 
Mails now are carried by railroad trains to Pittsfield and distributed 
to parts ■ of Pike daily and portions two or three times weekly. At 
all points a daily mail can be reached by a few miles' travel. 

TELEGRAPH LINES. 

These have offices in all the railroad towns of Pike and hourly 
dispatches are sent. 

EXPRESS LINES AND OFFICES. 

These are in many of the towns, and daily deliver packages of 
value and general articles. 

ELECTIONS AT AN EARLY DAY. 

When Pike was as defined in 1821, some exciting elections came 
off as well as in later years. The wars of the roses were almost 
fought over. Towns and voters were scarce as at old Sarum in Eng- 
land, but votes counted ; so when the Ross family and the Atlas 
party were candidates there was a lively time electioneering from the 
moiith of the Illinois river all the way to Galena, in the present 
county of Jo Daviess, that being as lively a place and as populous 
as any in the State, was a precinct of Pike county. Think of send- 
ingto rally voters 300 miles and then to send again and almost fight 
to get returns of elections ! Such were the trials of the candidates 
in an early day. How much better now. If an office-holder he may 
have been in the whiskey ring and have a fine to pay and to go to 
jail. 

Fancy poll books were made in those earlier days, with fictitious 
names thereon, to beat the Ross party. 

THE LAWYERS OF PIKE. 

The living members of the Pike county bar number men of promi- 
nence in the forum and in the halls of legislation. 

C. L. Higbee is one of the most eminent of the Circuit Judges. 
Daniel Brown Bush, the senior in years, was a native of and from 



26 

the State of Massachusetts and was born in 1790. He was a mem- 
ber of the Massachusetts legislature and followed his profession in 
that State. He came to Pittsfiold in 1884. He has filled many 
lucrative public offices, having lieen School Commissioner and 
County, or Probate Judge, Postmaster of Pittsfield, Justice of the 
Peace, and in all offices and in his profession has been a man of 
spotless reputation. 

W. R. Archer is an honored and useful State Senator and has 
twice been a member of Constitutional Conventions of Illinois. 

Colenel A. C. Matthews, at the bar, on the stump and in the tent 
ed field, as well as in the office of United States Revenue Collector, 
has distinguished himself. 

Zachariah N. Garbutt, the original editor of the Free Press, of 
this county, was a member of the bar and for a time Master in 
Chancery of the county ; he was a very merry soul. In the Mormon 
War he earned laurels by piling up big sweet potatoes for the troops 
of Anti-Mormons. Earnest and somewhat original in his opinions, 
very independent in the expression of his thoughts, he was an up- 
right man and something of a geiiius. He died before he had reach- 
ed the meridian of life. 

"Life's a short summer — man a flower — 
He (lies, alas ! how soon he dies." 

THE BAR AND BENCH. 

James Ward, lately resident of Griggsville, a native of Ohio, a 
member of the bar, a Justice of the Peace, re-elected because of his 
business habits and honesty, and once a Probate Judge, filled the 
several stations officially just named and passed through life highly 
respected and successful. He left a worthy family and numerous 
relatives. 

LORD COKE. 

The Speaker of the Lobby, "who mixed reason with pleasure and 
wisdom with mirth," James W. Whitney, was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, a man of considerable early education, having some 
knowledge of Latin. He came to Illinois before the organization of 
the State government, which took place in 1818. He resided at an 
early day at or near Edwardsvill's in Madison county in this State. 
He was very taciturn when the subject of his own life was int]-odnc- 
ed ; some suppose he left memoirs thereof, if so, this writer has been 
unsuccessful in finding such. The earliest Record Book of the 
Circuit Court of Pike county contains his handwriting and he was in 
1821 Clerk of that Court ; he wrote a peculiar hand and if style of 
writing is an index he sliould have been an oddity ; he was such in 



27 

some respects. One at first siglit would m the earlier days of Pitts 
field have taken him to be a well pr(;served preacher or schoolmaster 
of the days of the earlier Adamses. His dress vvas plain to homeli- 
ness, not being- very prosperous and being indififerent in matters of 
that kind, his hair was sparse, was combed all to the back of his 
head and tied often with a buckskin string- or old black shoestring 
as a cue.. He was a cosmopolite of Illinois (so to speak). His 
journeys were generally made, especially on the Military Tract, on 
foot and alone ; he had an extensive acquaintance, he put up where 
night found him, with a friend. Upon such trips he was garrulous 
and carried the news, when newspapers were scarce. He lived often 
alone in a log cabin, at times at the city of Quincy, and thereafter 
in Pike county, in Pleasant Hill township. He never had a large 
library, but bore the name of a learned man amongst those httlo 
used to books. 

Whitney acquired from this reputation the name of "Lord Coke. " 
He was delighted to be so called, and he was thus extensively and 
better known than by his proper name. 

When theaters and shows were rare, at the con^ening of the Illi- 
nois Legislature all were agog, citizens, judges, and legislators to 
witness the coiivening of ''The Lobby." It was a great event. A 
great throng would assemble and after some ceremony "Lord Coke" 
would mount the stand and call the house to order. He would de- 
liver his annual message, which would be received with cheers and 
laughter. Many hits and jokes were embodied in the message. 
Sometimes the satire was very broad and Lord Coke hurt his stand- 
ing with the Supreme Court by a farcical account of that Court and 
leading members of the bar meeting to "exterminate the varmints" 
of the State. 

Lord Coke presided over the Lobby with magisterial sway, and 
when mock heroics moved the man he would be a very important 
personage. The Lobby was organized by appointing subordinate 
officers and numerous committees ; the titles and functions of those 
committees would be of the most ludicrous character, and the mem 
bers composing the same of physical form, public standing, and per 
sonal bearing the most opposite of the position and character as as 
signed on committee. 

As an instance, Colonel Thomas Mat'ier, President of the State 
Bank of Illinois, was a man short in stature, but of great rotundity 
of person, quiet in demeanor ; Judge Thomas Brown and Jesse 
Thomas, Jr., were fine, portly looking gentlemen. Siich as these 
Lord Coke would announce, and that in print, as the most suitable 
members of a committee on gymnastics and ground and lofty 
tumbling. 

At the meetings of the Lobby, which were frequent, sometimes 
nightly during the session of the Legislature, in the earlier days of 
Illinois, rejwrts of committees would be called for and were submit- 



28 

tecl. These would be in accord with the burlesque titles of the com- 
mittees ; these reports v.cre often written by Coke himself and there 
was a broad personality in them rather Hudibrastic. 

At the sessions of the Lobby would be seen the prominent men of 
the State, including Judges, members of the Legislature and of 
the Bar. 

When legislation assumed grave proportions, involving popular 
topics, as the "Illinois Canal and Internal I'^-'provements, ' or "The 
Banks of the State," you would see Murray MeConnel, John J. 
Hardin, Douglass, Lincoln, Linder, Cavahy and others on the floor 
taking part in debates produced by resolutions offered in the Lobby. 
These would be ably conducted and with great spice of debate. 
Some matters very prejudicial to the State were considered in a 
popular but not statesmanlike manner in this debating society of 
the State. 

The "Internal Improvement system of Illinois," which engulfed 
Illinois in a worse than useless debt, owes its paternity to the spirit 
of the Lobby. 

The Canal and the Illinois Central Rail Road, and the more mod- 
ern roads of the State, are not to be understood as included in the 
unfavorable comment as to improvements. 

The system proposed in the Lobby was too lavish, indiscriminate 
and expensive for the times. And yet how much of its project has 
been since carried out. 

Lord Coke never was a family man in Illinois. It is said there 
was a hidden sorrow in this particular before he came to Illinois. 

At the bar, Whitney was not successful. There was a want of 
practical, everyday sense and his law was often obsolete. He is 
(load many years and passed away less noticed in his demise than 
many men of less note. 

ALPHEUS WHEELER. 

"A youtli to fortunt' and to faino niiknown. 
Fair science IVowiied not on iiis Inuuhle hirtli." 

Who that ever saw his tall, ungainly foi'.u and heard him address 
a public body could ever forget him ! 

He was a member of the bar ; he came to Pike county in 18.313 or 
1834, and resided for sometime at Highland, tlusn occasionally })reach 
ing. In 1838 and 1840 he was elected to the Legislature of Illinois, 
and in tliat body he was regarded as an oddity. He made some of 
his peculiar speeches and in his ca)'eer in the Legislature encounter- 
ed the wit and humor of another marked juan, but of a more elevated 
typo of manhood and education, namely Usher F. Linder, who died 
recently at Chicago. Linder told his story of the old woman and 
her pet coon on \Vlieeler in the Legislature and broke down the 



influence Wheeler and his friends anticijiated he would have therein. 
For some years Wheeler had a law office in Pittsfield and obtained 
considerable business ; he took great pride in his oratorical efforts, 
and made some lofty flights in his forensic displays. 

He pitted himself against men of talent and prominence. In the 
defense of a criminal, at the time when Judge D. M. Woodson was 
State's Attorney, Wheeler antagonized himself to that man, who was 
a very able prosecutor and afterwards an eminent Judge and yet 
survives. 

On one occasion Wheeler addressed the jury and said, in reply to 
the mere remark from Woodson that he submitted the case without 
any speech, which was intended to prevent Wheeler from speaking : 
"Gentlemen, I admire the State's Attorney; he has shown the most 
sublime eloquence, as from some men it consists in most profound 
silence. 

Again he said of of Woodson : "His eloquence is like the tall 
thunder amongst the lofty oaks, coming down for to split things." 

This speech caused some one who had a ready hand at a rough 
pencil sketch to draw a pictun^ of a man's head with a big nose 
elevated in a tree top, that was upon the west wall of the Court 
joorn at Pittsfield, and remained tlieve for many years, until the 
liouse was whitened up on the inside. That big nose was a carica- 
ture of Wheeler's. 

Wheeler brought many snits foi trespass and other causes, and on 
the trial of these much merriment was produced for the Judge, 
lawyers, jurors and citizens, ('oui'ts were great occasions in those 
Vays and drew crowds. 

in a case for killing a cow. \A'heeler. in reply to points made by 
(). H. Browning, then and now eminent, said : -'The gentleman 
tells you. Gentlemen of the Jury, that the plaintiff, my client, cannot 
recover in this suit because the cow war'nt no cow. because she never 
had a calf, but t; at she war a lipifer. (Tentleraen, that are not the 
notion of a sound and legal lawyer, l)ut the notion of a musharoon. " 
Tiiis almost convulsed the Court House witli laughtei'. 

Another objection of Browning's in this ease that Wheeler answer 
cd was thus expressed : "Gentlemen of the Jury. Mr. Br-^wning says 
tliat our cow war'nt wortii a cent. Now, gentlemen, where were 
there ever a cow that war'nt worth a cent? That cow were worth 
something for her meat, if she war'nt worth nothing for a milk cow 
— ^she war worth something for her horns, she war worth something 
for her hide, if not for her meat or milk, and gentlemen, she war 
worth something because the tail goes with the hide. 

The cause of Browning's point was that Wheeler had failed to 
]irove by witnesses the worth of the cow. 

A suit brought by Wheeler for one Harpool against his brother, 
was for damage done to hogs, by cutting the /■(>«■ nails off the hogs 
so as to prevent them from climliing. Wheeler, in describing the 



30 

• 
injury to the bogs, insisted that the liogs had a right to toe nails and 
a right to climb, and that, although they had done damage, yet it 
was laid down "root hog or die." 

One Zumwalt was indicted for destroying a mill dam of Doctor 
Hezekiah Dodge's. Wheeler in this case assailed the character of 
Dr. Dodge, who was a respectable man and whom the Jnvj did be 
lieve. Zumwalt was convicted upon evidence that he had said at his 
son inlaw's, on the night of the destruction of the dam of Dodge : 
"Just now the musrats are working on old Dodge's dam. Wheeler 
said of Dodge on the trial : "Di-. Dodge are a man so devoid of 
truth that when he speaks the truth he are griped." 

During another of the lofty flights of Wheeler, a wag, John Jay 
Ross, a lawyer and a man who made and enjoyed a joke, laughed so 
at one of Wheeler's speeches that he became excited And turned 
upon Ross in a very contemptuous way, with a majestic sweep of his 
long arm, brougat down at Ross, said : "I wish I had a later. I 
would throw it down your throat. ' 

The speech of Wheeler was not closed that evening, and the next 
morning early, when Wheeler was again addressing the Jury, and 
Ross at the bar table, by some hand several large potatoes were put 
down in sight of Wheeler's eye. He fired up and let out a torrent 
of invective on Ross, every one. Judge and all, in a loud roar of 
laughter. 

Wheeler once in a tine frenzy paiodied Shakespeare thus : 



••\Vli() stt'al.'; my i)iuise .stualf^ tritsli. 

Kobs nie of that whifli not (Miriohes liiiu hut makes me nooi-. 



all to injure my client.' 

Wheeler went to south western Missouri, Bates county, before 
the war, and we lost sight of him — Iip is said to be dead. 

Strother R. Grigsby was formerly County Clerk and is now our 
respected County Judge. 

J. G. Pettingill has been School Superintendent of Pike and is 
higly esteemed. 

J. M. Bush is so well-known as Editor of the hi'mocrat that he 
needs no commentary. He has been long Master in Chancery of 
Pike, and has been a State Senator, filling these positions all most 
acceptably. He is a son of Daniel B. Bush and a brother of the 
Junior of that name. 

James S. Irwin 3S well-known as a prominent lawyer and has for 
many years had a large practice. 

The younger bar must wait for the next history to record their 
exploits. There are many useful and intelligent men amongst 
them. Industry, temperance and integrity will ensure them success. 



3] 
"PRAYER ARDENT OPENS HEAVEN.' 

Amongst those long gathered to the rest of the blessed we men- 
tion the Rev. William Carter, for twenty-five \ears the influential 
good father in God and pastor of the Oongrega-jional Church in 
Pittsfield, a ripe scholar and pious man, he had his peculiarities, but 
no man of better and truer manhood ever lived here. 

Dr. Orin S. Campbell, who died some years since, went to Atlas 
in 1833 or 1834 and resided there practicing his profession of medi- 
cine as a partner of Henry J. Ross, M. D., and afterwards removed 
to Pittsfield : ht- was also in partnership for a time with Dr. Worth- 
ington, and during his career as a physician was of great repute and 
very successful. He was a superior scholar and a man of great 
pleasantry with men. His memory is yet green amongst us. 

Di'. Benjamin Norris. a graduate of Brown University, in the class 
with Prentice; of the Louisville J<ntri)al, came in 1835 to Pittsfield. 
He was a native of Rhode Island He was long a leading physician, 
and very useful and successful, as numerous families can well attest. 
He was skilled as an entomologist and sent some Aaluable and rare 
specimens of insects to the Smithsonian Institution : he had some 
rare sp ^cimens and a large cabinet of insects collected by himself, 
which he left in high state of preservation at his death. 

We again recur to the living, and cannot speak of all. l)ut tax our 
memory as to those widely known and (conspicuous at jin cnirly day. 
Such are those who lay tie foundations of society in new lands. 

Dr. Alfred C. Baker]of Barry now, at an early day of Pittsfield, once 
a partner of Dr. Worthinglon. is noted in his profession. He is a 
man of originality and intellect ; he is a brother of the illustrious 
(ieneral E. D. Baker, distinguished in Illinois when a resident, and 
theieaftev a Senator .f)f the United States from California, who was 
slain by treachery at Balls Bluff in Virginia. He was a man of 
brilliant intellect an orator '.nd the finest English belle letter 
scholar, when residing in Illinois ; as a leader in our halls of legis- 
lation, on the stiamp and at the bar, he often addressed the Court 
and popular assemblies in Pike county in his most inimitable 
inaiin( r. 

THE BATTLE (4R()I = ND OF THE GIANTS. 

This county was famous for the jiolitical and forensic discussions 
of Lincoln. Douglas. John T. Stewart, D. M. Woodson, Orville H. 
Browning, Archy Williams, William Thomas, A. W. ('avalry. Judge 
Lymau Trumbull. E D. Baker, Governors Yates, Palmer, and 
Oglesby, James Robertson, -lames Allen, Alexander Starne, Colonel 
Richardson : and numerous other public men have addressed the 
('ourt and popular assemblies in Ihis cour.ty. 



¥ 



YOUNGER AM1*:RI(!A. 

Milton Hay, now ranking- high as a lawyer, at Springfield, resided 
here in his earlier days and was at our bar. He has since been in a 
Constitutional Convention and in the Legislature of the State. 

John G. Nicholay edited the Fret' Press here, and has been Sec- 
retary to President Lincoln, Consul to Paris, and is now Marshal of 
the Supreme Court of the United States at Washington. 

THE .Tin)ICTARY. 

This county has had many good, useful and able men in the office 
of Probate Judge, thereafter called County Judge. It is impossible 
in the space we have to enter into their several histories or to re 
count their names. 

The Circuit Court of Pike county, as part of the State system of ^ 
Courts, has been presided over by many Judges at different periodsF 
from 1821 to IS^^B, men of upright characters and extended judicial^ 
fame. Pike cennty has been in several Judicial Circuits at different' 
periods. 

THE SYSTEMS! OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. 

This was first by County Commissioners, three in number. Ol 
these many were efficient, and none ever guilty of peculation. In 
1857 a township organization was adopted, as permitted by general 
laws of the State. Until 1870 twenty-one political townships existed. 
In the latter year Levee Township was organized for political and |: 
school purjjoses. 

Under this system the county affairs have been well managed. No 
startling ilcts have been done endangering the public business at 
fairs, and much has been effected to advance the county l\v a wise ad 
ministration of her affiiirs, by the Board of Supervisors', of whom 
many liave been wi!^e as local and county officers. 

THI': (TPv(^UTT coT^rr. 

'I'his is the leading court, — has geneial. civil, common law and jf 
equity jurisdiction, with juiisdiction in criminal cases. The Hon. '( 
C. L. Higbec! is the able and dignified judge, unsurpassed in the ^f 
State or elsewhere, for his h^gal ability and for dispatch of business. | 

Geoi'ge W. Jones is now. and has been at several peiiods. Clerk 
of this court, and is an able, upright officei-. 

James H. Crane has been Clerk of this court, and is now an effi 
cient and gentlemanly ('eputy clerk in the office of Mr. Jones. 

J. J. Topliff. M. ]) , now resident of Griggsville. was predecessoi 
of Jones, and was a very gentlemanly, honest officer. 



EXECUTION FOR MURDER 

It may be well to mention that up to this Centennial year, but one 
execution for murder has been carried out under sentence of the 
law since Pike County has been of its present reduced limits. 

LAND SUITS. 

Many and serious land suits have been decided in our courts. 

THE COUNTY COURT. 

This has jurisdiction as a Probate Court, and likewise in appellate 
cases of civil and criminal nature from justices of the peace, and has 
original civil jurisdiction of cases, such as a justice has, but higher 
in amount, up to $500. 

The present judge is Hon. Strother Grigsby, who fills the office 
with dignity and impartiality. His decisions are sound and accept- 
able. He was a member of the bar. 

Richard M. Atkinson, who is a member of the bar, was an upright 
and able judge in this court for several years, immediately before 
the term of Judge Grigsby. 

We will file a list of the earlier County or Probate Judges and the 
dates of their terms of office. 

All who served in I hat office wei'c respected and proved to bo hon- 
est men. 

SCHOOLS. 

Of course, at the earliest days and for many years, there were none. 

The earliest we know of was at Atlas, and the first brick school 
house was likely thei-e, long used as a meeting house by the few re 
ligious denominations. Gradually schools sprung up over the coun- 
ty, and a commendable zeal for education has existed, especially 
since the public school system was adopted by the Illinois Legisla- 
ture. 

Griggsville erected, about twenty years since, a spacious and 
sightly two-story brick house which was burned, and is replaced by 
one similar to the formei-. In these have been kept large and excel- 
lent schools 

Pittsfield, in 1861 began, and in about two years completed a very 
handsome two story brick school house, now in use, and containing 
a basement and eight spacious rooms for schools, all filled at times 
with scholars. It is conducted under the graded system of instruc- 
tion and has a high or advanced school, teaching languages and 
sciences. Its principles and teachers have been of a high order of 
nterit . 



L»fC. 



Brick or spacious frame houses exist in all the large towus in the 
county, and numerous, sightly and well built scnool houses abound 
and are in view every few miles in all parts of the county. 

The pecuniary support is derived from local funds, in part from 
the land grant of the United States, of a section to each township ; 
by taxation by the school officers, and by a pro rata from a fund 
raised by legislative provision periodically. 

The schools are free to all children from six to twenty years of 
age. 

The aforesaid houses in Pittstield, (irriggsville and other localities 
are successors of mo)'e simple or rude structures. 

NEWSPAPERS IN PIKE 

The Surker began in 184*2, and was the earliest published in the 
county. Its proprietor and editor was Michael J. Noyes, a remark- 
able man, of frank manners, industrious, shrewd, of fair education, 
honest in his business. In early life as a land surveyer he laid off 
land for the United Slates under contract, when original surveys 
were made. He was a native of New Hampshire, and true to the 
views of his Northern ancestry, was an advocate of freedom. He was, 
before removing to this county, clerk of the circuit court of Pike 
County, Missouri. He died respected and honored, a leading officer 
in the masonic fraternity, and leaving his wife, tlie partner of his ear- 
ly life, and a numerous family. 

The Free Press was established in lieu of the 'Stfy^er. The first 
number is dated Pittsfield and Griggsville, Monday, April 18 1846, 
puplished every Thursday (thereafter). Its second number is dated 
Thursday, Apnl 23; editors and proprietors Z. N. Garbutt and M. 
H. Abbott. It was a Whig paper. 

The Senti)iel, established in 1845, by T. U. Trumbull and G. W. 
Smith, the former as editor. After it ceased its material and patron- 
age went to the Union. 

The Pike County Unto/i. established on April 25, 1849, by John 
S. Roberts as editor and proprietor. That merged into the Pike 
Count}' Jhriixu-rat. Mr. Roberts has filled several responsible lucra- 
tive positions, and is now a justice ol' the peace in Pittstield. 

The Pike County Democrat was published under that n:.ime, and 
commenced in May, 1857. Mdton .\bl>ott was editor and proprietor. 
He sold out, and it is yet continued by J. M. Bush, at Pittstield. vig- 
orously conducted. It ajvocates the doctrine of the Democratic 
party and has a large circulation. 

T. G. Trumbull, editor of the iSeidinel, was a member of the bar of 
Illinois. He came from Connecticut, and was a nephew of the cele- 
brated painter. Col. Trumbull, of Washington's military family. T. 
G. Trumbull had but little business at the bar. He was peculiar, 
and if asked al>ont ojirly rising expressed himself, ''That it was not 



best to be about until the world was well aired by the uprisen sun." 
His health was feeble, his instincts gentlemanlj, his education good, 
and retiring habit. He has long been buried near Pittsfield. He 
had no relatives in this vicinity. 

The liad'eal^ for a brief time published as the exponent of a sen- 
timent. It was edited with vim, by Major Charles J. Sellon. He 
was afterwards a vigorous and useful editor of the Illinois State 
Jour)ml, published at Springfield, Illinois. His bravery led him to 
the front, and he served for a short time in the Union Army. By 
deafness he was physically disqualified for army life. He died a young 
man, mourned by his family and many friends. He is buried in the 
graveyard of St. Stephen's Church, Pittsfield. Ills. He was a son of 
the Rev. Mr. Sellon, of New York. 

The Radical was reduced like a razed vessel, until it was The 
Jiadi, under command of O. W. Topliff, and lasted only a short 
time 

The Pike County Journal was the offspring of the F'ree Press, 
and was established by Daniel B. Bush. Jr., in 1860, and edited by 
him until a sale thereof to Robert McKee. The Old Flag took the 
pi; ice of the Jaurnal. 

The Old Flag was the successor of the Pike County Journal, and 
owes its naixe to its first editor, Robert Mckee, who was an able 
man when at his pist. Its first issue was in the first week in March, 
1868. This paper yet supports ably the principles of the Republi- 
crn party. Robert Criswell, once a spicy editor thereof, is now in 
the far West. It is now owned by Messrs. das. Criswell and Jas. 
Gallagher, the latter being its efficient editor. It has a liberal pat- 
ronage. 

The Barry Adage, ^\xh\\ii\\ed weekly, is in its second or third 
year. 

The Grigg8^ille liefte>'tor is now two or three years old. 

The Milton Beacon is now in its second year. 

The newspapers published in this county have issued only once a 
week. 



EXPORTS OF THE FARM, 



This county is imsurpas.sed for its winter wheat. Large quanti- 
ties are exported as flour and wheat. Beef and pork are staple com- 
modities, and yield an immense revenue to the farmers. Corn is 
a most abundant crop and enters largely into commerce. Grass 
and hay are jDroduced without stint. 

Fruits of all kinds, great and small, abound. The apple crop when 
shipped yields a great income. 



3C 
PIKE COUNTY OF 187G. 

Pike County in 1876 is composed of territory bounded on the 
south by the peninsula of Calhoun county, stricken off from the orig- 
inal territory of Pike ; beginning on the south and embracing range 
seven south of the base line, and west of the fourth principal meri- 
dian ; meandering the Illinois River for its Eastern boundary, and 
thence north, including Townslip three south two west, fronting on 
the river, and also including Township three south ranges three and 
four west ; thence west from the southwest corner of Township 
three south four west, or Fairmount, to the Mississippi River, in 
Township four south eight west ; thence meandering with the chan- 
nel of said river to the township line of seven south five west in said 
river, including twenty-six townships and fractional townships, laid 
off for political purposes into twenty four townships, and designated 
as follows : 

Chambersburg, Perry, Fairmount, Flint, Griggsville, New Salem, 
Hadley, Barry, Kinderhook, Levee, Detroit, Newburg, Pittsfield, 
Derry, Pleasant Vale, Montezuma, Hardin. Martinsburg, Atlas, Pearl, 
Spring Creek, Pleasant Hill. Sixteen of these townships are six 
miles square, and the fractional townships are of various sizes, as the 
land is shaped by the flow of the rivers Illinois and Mississippi. — 
The Illinois running in most places on the borders of the County 
nearly south ; the Mississippi varying by its course the width of the 
County, from about thirty-eight miles on t'le north line to about 
eighteen on the south line, its course being to the southeast. 

This County is varied in its furface. Its greatest altitude from 
the rivers being about three hundred and ten feet on the summit 
ridge. Various large water courses fluwiug to each river furnishing, 
with living springs which abound, abundance of good water. The 
soil is much diversified, (^n both rivers and on several large creeks, 
there is a large acreage of fine alluvial land, which is productive 
when properly drained, and much of it required no drainage. The 
uplands adjacent to the bluffs of the two rivers are rolling, originally 
mostly timber, now largely in cultivation. Nearly every Township 
in the County had much rich and beautiful, rolling prairie. The 
growth on a portion of the land, in many townships, was black-jack 
a species of scrub oak. These wore called barrens, but falsely so- 
called as some of the finest farming, and especially wheat and grass 
lands, are in the former barrens. 

The productions of the County are diversified. Corn, wheat, oats, 
rye, and all small grains and grapes grow and with great luxuriance, 
sweet and Irish potatoes and all garden vegetables flourish. Fruits 
of every kind and the lesser berries yield large crops. The County 
is famed for its fine stock raising qualities 

The minerals are varied and numerous, but none developed to 



37 

much extent. Abundance of fine stone and some superior quarries 
exist. There is a species of sandstone which opens out in rectangu- 
lar figures from natural fissures. Limestone is plentiful. Near 
Rockport there is stone nearly similar to marble and beautifuly vein- 
ed. Perry and other medicinal springs have deserved celebrity. 
Salt springs exist, but as yet have not availed much for salt produc- 
ing. It is evident that some races of people have delighted to inhabit 
this county. Many ancient mounds exist. Stone cises, or coffins, 
in considerable numbers have been found, and all the implements of 
the stone age are seen as originals here. In a state of nature all the 
wild fruits of this latitude were abundant, but cultivation has done 
away with them. 

The latitude of this County is a little south of Philadelphia Penn. 

It is about eighty miles from St. Louis to its southern boundary. 

The leading wagon roads of emigrant travel pass through this 
County. 

Numerous old ferries exist on the rivers which once swarmed 
with emigrant wagons. 

The navigable waters of the lUions and Mississippi rivers on 
the East and West are yet of immense value to oar farmors and bus- 
iness men. These could be used to much greater advantage and less 
cost for freight, were the boats all properly constructed to avail of 
the water at its lower stages ; presupposing that the National Gov- 
ernment improves the rivers by narrowing and deepening the chan- 
nels, upon the principle of constructing jetties at the mouth of the 
Mississippi. In the futuie, great developments will be made of how 
to manage the mighty rivers to economize and to use the water in 
times of drouth. 

It is possible, we hold, to scour out and tlins deepen our rivers in, 
and bordering on Illinois. Competition will thus increase in the 
means of transportation as freights increase. Who can foretell the 
destiny of the West with deeper rivers and sea-going vessels? Per- 
haps ascending many hundred miles above New Orleans for freights. 
We confidently anticipate this. 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

The public buildings and improvements generally, are very good. 
Moderate in cost — not pretentious in structure. 

The first Court House in Pittsfield was a small frame, standing on 
the alley on the north side of the street facing, and north of the Pub- 
lic Square. It is now used by Joseph Heck as a store. The order 
for its erection was made by the Countv Commissioners on the 4th 
day of June, 1883. 

The second Court House in Pittsfield, now in use, was built in 
1838-9, by County funds, derived from proceeds of sales of Town 
lots of Pittsfield. bv the C.onntv Commissioners. The first sale was 



38 

on the 15th of may, 1883. Subsequent sales were made by the Com 
missioners of Town Lots all on the oUl plat. The first Court House 
was also built out of proceeds of early sales. The present Court 
House is a large two-story brick, with a dome and high roof. It is 
in good repair. The Court Room for the Circuit Court is in the 
second story, and has two Jury Rooms on the East thereof. The 
first story is iised for the County Court and pubMc offices. This 
house stands in the centre of a public square, set out with trees. — 
The plat of ground is three hundred and forty feet square, streets 
surroiinding it. There are fire-proof County offices near the West 
entrance to the Square. It is handsomely enclosed with a plain, paint- 
ed, wooden fence. Trees are well grov. n and mostly of native kinds. 
Blue grass and white clover clothe the ground. 

An ornamental two-story Brick Jail is upon the Northeast corner 
of the streets, surrounding the Square. 

These now in use, are the second structures of the kind in Pitts- 
field. The first Jail was of bi'ick ; it was sold and afterwards burned . 

POPULATION AND SETTLEMENT. 

This County is now densely settled for a farming country, and yet 
there are lands now unoccupied, and vast tracts owned and occupied 
by few families. The county is capable of supporting a very much 
larger population than is now therein. Its people are from every 
State in the United States, and from every foreign land, almost, 
which has sent settlers to the Middle States, and are intelligent, in- 
dustrious and enterprising. 

Public roads lead to all the towns in tlu; County from Pittsfield. 
Ferries exist at many points on the rivers. There is a railway and 
wagon road bridge crossing from Pike County to Hannibal, Mo., and 
a railroad bridge at Louisiana. 

TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 

Pittsfield is the County Seat, and laid out 1833. Railroad here. 

Griggsville is about the same age. Railioad here. 

Barry was Wooster. and is not quite so old. Rrilroad here. — 
These are the leading towns. 

Perry is a beautiful town, once Boonvillc 

Milton was laid out about 1836, and is a neat village, and has a 
large flour mill. 

Washington was laid out in 1836 : in a neat village and has a large 
flour mill. 

Chambersburg is a sightly town. 

Kinderhook is handsomely situated ; has many good buildings, 
and is on the H. &, N. R. R., and has a large flour mill. 

Pleasant Hill is, as it name signifies, and well located. .\ railroad 



:>,9 

at its limits, and a large dour mill. Business houses and churches 
in town. 

Rockport, on the Sny Carto, for fifty years, nearly, the site of 
water mills ; is an interesting business location ; some neat stores 
and houses, and a very nice, roomy brick school house oi*nament it. 
A large trade has existed there. 

We cannot enumerate all the steam flour mills, but many of the 
towns have such which we have not specified. 

Pleasant Vale, the oldest, and New Canton, are so united as to be 
one. A flouring mill and the usual shops for ti'ade are run here. 

New Hartford and Summer Hill are neat little villages. Post Of- 
fices there, and churches. Very sightly situated, both towns. 

Cincinnati, on the Mississippi River, is an old town, but has not 
grown much. The Sny Levee may promote its growth. There are 
stores aiid warehouses there, and usual shops. 

Atlas, the first town laid out, has lost standing by the removal of 
the County Seat. A pretty situation, but is eclipsed by its neigh- 
bor, Rockport, and little other than farming is mow carried on there. 

Detroit, Time and Nebo are all neat little villages,, each having 
one or more churches, and stores and shops. Time and Nebo each 
have a flour mill. 

Florence, first called Augusta, was laid out by Green. Barber, 
Worthington and Davis, and if big hopes could have so made, it 
would have rivalled Peoria. Thiis was once a place of a good deal of 
business, and the landing for Pittsfield from steamboats. In 1849 
the stampede to California set it back, and it has dwindled ever 
since. 

PERRY AND PERRY TOWNSHIP. 

Considerate friends, residents thereof, have fnniished the follow- 
ing as to that locality and we lecord the same : 

The first settler was Mr. Lovelady, in 1829. David Callis, John 
Bond, the Akins, Dorsey and Gregory in 1830. David Johnston and 
B. L. Matthews in 1832. 

Mr. Sutton (Baptist) preached the first sermon at the residence of 
Mr. Callis, irj 1829. 

Th(? first school was taught by Miss French in 1831. She now re 
sides in Brown County, Ills. 

Tlie first merchant was J. S King, who was the first Postmaster. 
Mails t len once a week. 

The town was laid oflf in 1H34 by Boone Scholl, and called Boone- 
ville. The next year relaid by N. W. Jones, and given the name, 
Perry. First brick kiln by Shepardin, 1833. First blacksmith, W. 
Vanpelt, 1838. Chenowith and Carpenter, first Justices of. the Peace, 
1835 

In 183B population poured in. 



In 183G. Hugh L. Sutphin became resident Physician, and was af- 
terwards a very worthy State Senator. He is dead. 

Perry was incorporated in 1851, with but live hundred inhabitants. 

BUSINESS HOUSES NOW. 

Five dry good stores, two hardware and tin-shops, three grocery 
stores, one foundry, three blacksmith shops, two cabinet shops, six 
church buildings, a public school house of four departments, and 
three hundred and fifty pupils, three physicians — Dunn, Harris and 
Walling, — and three shoe shops. This is a sightly town and does a 
prosperous business. 

Mrs. Fifield is Postmistress. Mails daily. The Township has 
four hundred and seventy-five voters and increasing its vote every 
year. 

J. K. Cleveland, who has for many years been on the Grand Jury 
at intervals, is the leading Justice of the Peace. 

MANUFACJTUKES. 

The towns in Pike: Many of them carry on manufactures. 

Barry has mills, pork houses of large capacity, blacksmith and oth- 
er shows, and adjacent a large woolen mill, established by the Messrs. 
Wike.^ 

Griggsville has a large carriage shop and flour mill, and the usual 
stores and shops of jesser trades. 

Milton has many shops and has a pottery doing considerable bus- 
iness. Handsome stores with large stocks of goods are here open. 

Pleasant Hill has mills and tobacco factories. That Township 
adjacent is first-class tobacco land, and good for other crops. 

New Hartford and Summer Hill eacli have blacksmith shops and 
stores. Coopers make barrels here to a large amount. 

El Dara has a large Hour mill and usual small shops. 

Perry has a woolen mill, flour mill, and t're usual sh)p.=? of ti-ades. 

Chambersburg has a flour mill, stores and usual shops of trades. 

Kinderhook has a flour mill and usual shps of trades. 

Rockport has some shops of trades, ;'iid recently a large flour mill 
was burned. Coopers made or sold a large amount of barrels at this 
place. 

Pittsfield has two large and, well-equipped flou)' mills, a woolen 
mill, three or four wagon shops, two considerable carriage shops, 
two tobacco factories, and some lesser workers in tobacco, a foundry, 
several blacksmith shops, a largi; factory for fan mills to clean grain 
and seeds, numerous large stores of various kinds, and some subdi- 
vision of business exists. The grocery is distinct from dry good. 
Stores for finer wear for men and women, and hats, caps and boots 
exist. Four hardware stores, and all selling moi'e or less machinery. 



41 

Sale and manufacturing shops of furniture are carrying on business. 
and the lesser trades are carried on. Thcee drug and medicine 
stores, shops to sell candy and small wares, and three barber shops. 

SOCIETIES. 

This county has numerous literary and other societies. 

The first library was formed in Atlas in 1833-4. Part of the books 
now exist in the Pittsfield Library, an incorporated institution, tlie 
second, of a general nature. It has several hundred, and, perhaps, 
exceeding one thousand volumes. Libraries exist in other towns. 

Pike County has had more than one organization as an Agricultural 
Society, and one now exists, located at Pittsfield. It has twenty acres 
or more of beautiful ground on section twenty-five, south of Pitts- 
field one half a mile. A Horticultural Society, Antiquarian Society, 
and Old Settlers Society exist. 

CHURCHES AND RELIGION. 

Religion, or the worship of Almighty God, is in high repute. 

Houses of worship of brick and frame, and even stone, exist. In 
all the larger towns will be found the following denominations, and 
even over the country, a diversity of church fellowship exists. The 
Churches are: Methodist Episcopal, and other styles, as well as Ger- 
man Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Congregational, Christian, 
Lutheran, Protestant Episcopal, United Brethren, Roman Catholics, 
and there may be others. 

HOTELS IN PITTSFIEIiD, 

The Pittsfield House, kept by George T. Edwards, on Northwest 
corner of the Square. 

The Oregon House, kept by Abraham Butz, on Southwest corner 
of the Square. 

The Mansion House, kept by Joel Pennington, South side of the 
Square. All the foregoing are brick houses. 

LIVERY STABIJOS. 

George Edwards, on South side of the Square. 

James F. Stobie, West of Oregon House — same lot. 

Pennington & Co., Southwest corner of the square. All well equip- 
ped, and carriages, close and open, as well as horses and buggies 
for hii'o. 



42 
STEAM 150ATS, 

Up to 1833 a boat by steaiu was rarely up the rivers, Illinois aod 
Mississippi more than once in two weeks. Special trips were made 
to Spring Lake, in Pike, near Atlas, by the William Wallace, and 
one or two other steamers up to 1.S35, to carry goods to Atlas and 
to take out freiglit. 

yo/r five steamers, elegantly equiped, make daily trips in good 
stages of water, on the two rivers, uiiless in winter when ice-bound. 
But few weeks occur when a daily packet does not ascend the Missis- 
sipi for Quincy and above. Packets ply on the Illinois river daily, 
ascending as high as the canal at LaSalle. 

Tow boat steamers run up and down with tleets of large barge- 
like boats, with grain, stone and lumber on the Illinois river : these 
being the freights descending. 

The mode of navigation in an earlier day was in keel boats witli 
poles and by cordelling ; and descending, only Hat bottom l)oats and 
rafts were floated down stream. 

COUNTY ST'IJVKVOKS 

This office has usually been filled by men of upright chai'atiter and 
very able. We cannot pretend to enumerate them. 

David Johnson, one of those Surveyors, in office about thirty 
years ago, is yet alive. He wbs an energetic man and Surveyor and 
of great worth. 

A. G. Chamberlain, who liVes at Barry, has been a deputy survey- 
or several times under the County Surveyor. He is a superior sur- 
veyor, and an intelligent, honest man. 

Gordon, of Griggsville, in his ripe old age. survives. He was a 
good Surveyor in his day. 

Joseph Goodin we have spoken of elsewhere. 

Harris, recent incumbent of the office of County Surveyor, is a 
genius, a good companion, an upright man, and useful in his office. 
His successor is Mr. Clare, elected 1875. He opens out well for a 
young officer. We predict a useful career for him. 

ATOLOCiY OF THU HTSTOIH.VN 

In (ending Uu^so outlines for histoiy. biograpliy and memoirs, pi-e- 
pai-ed in a brief space of time, almost without books of reference, 
and with little aid from other sources, (he historian craves your len 
ient judgment. 

With the conqueror, but not as a conqureror, I say '' V'ul, r/'fl," 
'T came, I saw," but the Mrl, the last word of tliat phrase, I am not 
vain enough to apjiropriate. 



4:5 

Tf like tlie swan this be ni}'^ expiring- song, I say with the lloman, 
'■•tlUj^uim et decorum est pro patrla ittori." 

May this Csunty and Nation have many Centennials, but to offer 
np the prayer th:it any of my adult fellow citizens might enjoy the 
next Centennial, would be in vain since the days of Methuselah. 

It is my anticipation, in the march of events, that the next Cen- 
tennial History of Pike will be oflfered by a lady. 

The ladies, God bless them, by that time, will have superseded the 
men and put them aside as false gods. The men then will enjoy 
"■Otinm cion Jign'Uite." 

Farewell kind friends; may your paths bestrewed with flowers, 
and every blessing attend you. 

Adieu, until the next Centennial. The volume is closed. 



TO THE PUBLIC. 



In prcscnthiii-, at this lime, so loug- after the date of its delivery, the I'oregoiug 
able and exiiaustive Centennial address, it is due to the author and ourself to 
say, that circumstances beyond our control have prevented its publication until 
tlic present time. But as it is a work of that character which will but become 
the more valuable as time shall elapse, we feel that little harm can arise from 
the delay that has (jccurred. 

And in this connection we deem it but just to the distinguished author to ap- 
pend hereto a notice of one who has been so prominently identified with the 
history of Illinois, and especially of Pike county since its earliest days. 

The Hon. William A. Grimshaw— son of William Grimshaw who was an 
early and distinguished historian of the United States, and whose mother was 
Harriet, a native of Charleston, S. C, and daughter of James Milligan, a Cap- 
tain in the Pennsylvania line in the American Revolution, and one of the society 
of the Cincinnati— the subject of this sketch was admitted to the bar at 19 
years of age, in Philadelphia. Penn., and in May, 1833, arrived in Pike County, 
Illinois, and in November of the same year received a license from the Su- 
l)rem« Court of the State to practice law. In the same year he was appointed 
Adjutant of tlie Seventeenth Illinois ^lalitia.then. as other regiments, mustering 
regularly, and as Ajdutant. ecjuipped and uniformed, was ready for service with 
his regiment, and often held with his Colonel. Benjamin Barney, regimental and 
battalion trainings hi Pike. 

While John lieynolds was Governor, he unsolicited ecjmmissioned Mr. G. as 
Public Administrator of Pike County. In 1840 he ran as a Whig candidate for 
the rjegislatnre ahead of his ticket at the August election, and in TSTovember the 



M.i 

coimly i^iive a majority of 112 lor llairi?^on ;is l*rc-;i(l"iil. At hU ih;\1 (uindid- 
acy he was elected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1847, and 
sat in that body in whose delil)eiations and actions he look a prominent part. 
He was tlic author of tlio Anti Duellinii' clause inoorpoi'atr.l into'tiic (' :»n>;tit\i - 
tioi) then adopted. 

The next year (1848) liis own county gave liini a majority as a caudialc for 
the Legislature, but he was defeated by tiie vote of Calhoun, wiiirh then voted 
with Pike. On several subse(iuent occasions as a cantlidate for tiu^ Senate and 
Constitutional Convention, he has nui largely ahead of his ticket, but the op- 
position having substantial majorities, lie was defeated. In politics, a Whig, 
and then a Republican, ho has at the solitutation of others been put forwanl as 
a Represenative of the views of his party, but has always manifested a i)ersonal 
independence, rarely, if ever, to be found in the i)arty politician. As ;i union 
mai] he was very pronounced in his views, and devoted his time and energies 
Ireely in support of tlie Federal (4overnm(int. 

In 1860, as a delegate to the Decatur Convention, lu- was for Lincoln for 
President, and in 1804 took pait in the Illinois State Convention, and also was 
sent as a delegate of the old Ninth Congressional District to the I.altiinore 
Republican Convention which re-nominated Lincoln. 

As a personal friend of Douglas in war speeches he lauded U'un for his h ild 
and emphatic sujjiwrt of the union cause. 

At the bar of Pike and other counties, and also in the Supreme Court of Illi- 
nois and in tlie LTnited States Court at Springfield and Clhicago, he lias tried 
many causes and is yet in very active practici; : and as attorney for the Sny 
Levee Commissioners, has from the first steps, as to the legal proceedings in the 
State Courts, upheld the acts of the C'ommissioners, but the Supreme Court of 
Illinois has decided adversely on the Constituticmality of the State laws as to 
levees, Ajc. 

He is attorney for the T. W. A: W., and C. i.V .V. K. K. (.'o.s. and Mississij^pi 
iJiver Bridge Company at Louisiana, .Mo. 

During fourteen years the late Jackson Grimshaw was in partnershi|) with 
William A., his brotlier, that partnershii) ceasing in 1857. 

He is the owner of fine farms, and takes piide in agriculture, and has iciu* d 
{me horses, cattle awd sheep. He is a life-member of the Pike C'ounty .Vgii- 
eultural Society, and lias sevei-al times been President thereof, and has taken 
many premiums on fine stock. 

In the promotiou of railroads and otiici' interests of Pike he has always ac- 
tively partieiiiated. 

As a trustee of the State Institution for the Blind he served twelve years, and 
in the last year of his service the Institution was re-built, the first edifice having 
lieen destroyed by fire ; this service was without emolument. He takes pride in 
having served many years as a trustee of Pittsfield, and also as a School Direc- 
tor f)f Pittsfield when the large and handsome school house was en-cted. and 

for many vears then'after. 

■ ■ .1. M. nrSH. Pi HusHKi;. 

Fcbruarv 17. ls77. 



H 



■|i*riir 



By accident, tho copy reiving tlie following list of the -Judges of 
the Probate Court, was lost, and the los^f not discovered until the 
pamphlet was in type. It is therefoi'e added here— FPubi.ishku. 

Abraham Beck was the first Judge, and the fii'st estate adminis- 
tered upon w:>s that of Peter Bourke —John Sliaw. administrator — 
Belus Jones and Barnabas Haines, securities. The caption of letters 
issued ran as follows : "The Pecjple of the State of Illinois, by the 
Grace of God free and independent." The letters were dated Ma}' 
•21, A. D., 1821. 

Second Judge, Nicholas Hanson. 

Third Judge, William Ross— May Ist, 1823. to July 1825— court 
being held at Atlas. 

Fourth Judge, George W. Haight— from July 1825 to January 1827. 

Fifth Judge, William Ross— from January 1827 to December 1834. 

Sixth Judge, M. E. Rattan — first term of court held by him, Jan 
uary 21, 1835. 

Seventh Judge, William Watson — first term, April 1, 1837. 

Eighth Judge, D. B. Bush— first term November 6, 1837. 

Ninth Judge, Parvin Paullin — first term October 7, 1839. 

Tenth Judge, I. B. Donaldson — first term October 2, 1843. 

Eleventh Judge, James Ward — first term August. 1847. 

Twelfth Judge, Charles Harrington — first term December 1853. 

Thirteenth Judge, Alfred Grubb — first term December 1857. 

Fourteenth Judge, John W. Allen — first term November 21, 18()] 

Fifteenth Judge, R. M. Atkinson — first term November 24, 18G5. 

Sixteenth Judge, Strother Grigsby— first term December 1873 — 
and now in office. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



016 095 225 8 



